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Workplace reforms to protect the modern workforce

Employment law proposals announced by the Government in response to the ‘Taylor Report’ have been hailed as the biggest shake-up for a generation in order to meet the changing demands in the workplace.

Under new rules employers will need to give workers details of their rights from the first day in a job, such as eligibility for sick leave and pay and details of other types of paid leave, such as maternity and paternity. Furthermore, legislation will prohibit the ability for employers to pay agency staff less than their permanent counterparts and includes a ban on employers making deductions from staff tips but the law regarding the controversial zero hours contracts remains unchanged. The penalty for employer’s aggravating conduction will increase from £5,000 to £20,000. The Government has said that it is taking forward 51 of the 53 recommendations made by Matthew Taylor in his review into employment, especially in the ‘gig economy’.

Hannah Strawbridge, Employment Associate at Eaton Smith Solicitors commented; “The proposals announced by the Government are actually rather modest. There is no draft legislation attached, nor any dates or commitments to legislate. It is important that legislation is in line with the modern workforce and that the balance of rights is fair. Legislation to clarify employment status is welcomed by all parties although it will be difficult to establish clearer definitions that are better than those we currently have. It seems that employers will need to keep an eye on these proposals as they work their way through Parliament as these could be the post-Brexit legacy that May is hoping for.”